It was a closer match than the last time New Mexico and New Mexico State met, but the result stayed the same.
No. 16 New Mexico vs. New Mexico State final score: Lobos now 12-0 after 68-63 win
The game went down to the wire, but New Mexico stayed unbeaten by topping the rival Aggies on their home court.
Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE
With some big baskets and good defense down the stretch, the No. 16 Lobos stayed perfect on the season, beating New Mexico State for the second time in a week, 68-63. At 12-0, New Mexico is now just five games shy of tying its record for its best start in school history, 17-0, set in 1967.
Unlike Saturday's 73-58 win, Wednesday's rematch wasn't easy for the Lobos. New Mexico faced an 11-point deficit halfway through the first period, then climbed back to take a 34-32 lead into the break. But the Aggies kept clawing back into the game. With 3:41 to go, New Mexico State was within two after a pair of free throws from Daniel Mullings. But New Mexico's Hugh Greenwood answered with a three-pointer to push the lead to five, followed by an Alex Kirk block on Mullings. Two free throws from Kirk gave the Lobos a seven-point edge, and from there, New Mexico hung on for the win.
Kendall Williams was top dog for the Lobos, with 24 points and five rebounds. Kirk, who was plagued by foul trouble, had only four points and three rebounds. For the Aggies, Mullings was the high scorer with 13 points, just like in Saturday's game. New Mexico State played solid defense, especially beyond the arc, as the Lobos were 6-of-20 from three-point range. But the Aggies couldn't answer offensively, hitting 37 percent of their shots and just 11-of-20 free throws.
New Mexico will go for its 13th straight win when it hosts South Dakota State on Dec. 22 at 2:30 p.m. ET. New Mexico State will take on Missouri State at home on the same day, at 9 p.m. ET.
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